Post-holiday indulgences

Mega-massive, out-of-control, over-indulgence

When it comes to buying makeup I am like a squirrel - I buy one or two items here and there, all spread over a long period of time.  And usually it's with cheaper items that go on sale at the drugstore or on clearance at Target.  I've never gone full crazy like I did this past month, especially with this many higher-end products at one time.  Looking at the haul overall actually makes me a little woozy!

It's especially tempting during the holiday season when companies entice women with kits and special packaging.  And of course stores have signs everywhere advertising special promotions and "must-get" deals.  I was pretty self-restrained during the entire season, talking myself out of purchases.  However, ll my good behavior went out the window after Christmas.  It seemed as though the stores knew I was coming and was planting these irresistible items right in front of me, at prices I've never seen before... so I  splurged.

From Ulta

1. Urban Decay All Nighter spray: I've been dying to try this forever, especially with my oil-slick of a face.  This bottle was the XL size, and it was 50% off!
2. Laura Geller Femme Fatale kit:  I've tried Laura Geller powders before and was so pumped to get this kit at 50% off!  My obsessions with face powder and blush is happily satiated with this purchase.
3. Stila Blush: What can I say, I can't resist blushes, especially ones from Stila, and especially when they're on clearance.
4. Bare Minerals duo:  This was sitting on a stand in the middle of Ulta, all by its lonesome.  I was so surprised that no one had snagged this up before I got to it.  And I even expected that people had dipped their dirty fingers in the product and left it behind.  But to my surprise, it was brand-spanking new!  At $8, I could not pass this up.
5. Essence polish:  I didn't intend to buy this, but I had to get something small so that I could reach my dollar limit for the coupon to apply, so this was the winner.  It's actually impressive for $2.
6. Covergirl & Olay cream blushes x3:  I love blushes, and I love cheap deals, and this 2 things combined make me really, really giddy.  I first read reviews about this from nouveaucheap (one of my favorite blogs), and was intrigued especially since she also has oily skin and claimed that it was very long-wearing.  Intrigued as I was, I was not going to shell out $13 for this product.  So, to snag these up at $1.50 each was the greatest high.  Seriously.

From The Body Shop

I've never purchased anything from The Body Shop - I was intrigued by what they offered, but always thought they were too overpriced, snobbish even.  That's why they have to entice customers with constant deals and promotions, and these were always not good enough for me.  Until, of course, December 17, which I learned is the free shipping day for most online retailers.  That day they had their products at 3 for $30, which was more than 50% off regular price for most items, and shipping was free.  If there's one thing that I vehemently avoid, it's paying shipping - especially when the shipping is as much as what I want to buy!  So of course I couldn't pass it up.   What I ended up with is pretty neutrals, exactly what my tastes are.  To the untrained eye, the three products might look like they would be all the same colors, but to my obsessed eyes everything has subtle differences that warrant me keeping all three!  Hah!

From Sephora:

I love Sephora - I visit it every chance I get, and I browse their website daily.  But I don't buy a whole lot from there because it is expensive!  They have a reward program where every dollar I spend translates to one beauty point, which can then be redeemed for freebies... I've always had less than 100 points with them, though these purchases might have put me over.  

As a loyalty perk, Sephora gave me a $15 off $50 coupon, which I happily applied towards the Amazing Grace Layering set.  I've sprayed this perfume on my wrist every time I pass by it, and would end up sniffing my wrist for the entire day.  The set makes it a better buy, and the coupon made it irresistible.  I also got a cheap nail polish to make my purchase qualify to the dollar amount.

Then, just when I thought I was done with Sephora, they advertised an additional 20% off their sale items.  Before when I said I browse Sephora's website, I should specify that I browse their sale page... like a hawk.  But nothing was enticing enough to put me over the edge, until one day, while casually browsing their sale page again, I spotted the Bare Minerals The Star Treatment palette... *gasp*... for $20... *gulp*... it must be mine!  It's a beautiful mirrored palette with buttery, shimmery neutrals - what's not to love?  As it sits in front of me now, I almost don't want to touch it and ruin the perfection that is this palette.  The Star Treatment?  Go ahead!  Make me a star!

Because of my hate for shipping charges, I also got some things extra that I've been eyeing, but had not taken the plunge.  This included the Kat Von D Star Crossed palette, and a pink powder brush, both of which were 50% off!

From the Target, CVS, and Walgreens:

As if Ulta and Sephora weren't enough, I even got things from the drugstores.  Good ol' drugstores, where you really have to hunt for the diamond in the rough.  

While browsing for after-Christmas decoration deals in Target, I wandered to the beauty aisles.  Rule # 74: No trip to Target is every complete without a quick walk-through of the beauty section... because you never know what will be on clearance!  Case in point, I stumbled on the Revlon bronzer for $3.48, and it was immediately in my cart.  I don't really know how to use bronzers, and I don't know that I actually need it, already being Asian, but I've been intrigued by this product for some time now, and at 70% off I can afford to experiment with it.

At CVS, a lot of beauty items were on clearance for 75% off.  I've been through these sales in the past and have gone a little nutty then, but I've learned to be more restrained and picky.  This time around, I picked up four of the Milani Holographic polishes, plus the Wet n Wild mini polish set.  I've had my eyes on the holographic polishes for ages now, but refused to spend full price for them.  Patience is a virtue because each of the holographic polish, and the entire Wet n Wild set, were each $1.50.  Score!

The only place where I did not get any deals or discounts was at Walgreens, or as I fondly refer to it, Wags.  I went in because it was across from the CVS, but I left with a Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink, a Jordana Fabuliner, and a Jordana Mascara.  The Color Tattoo was something I had been searching for as this color is a new release and not all stores have it.  I hope the pink will be fantastic with the Bare Minerals duo I got from Ulta.  Then the 2 Jordana eye products are cheap items that have rave reviews, and I've never tried them because Jordana is only sold at Wags... so naturally they had to go home with me!

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Whew!  That was a lot.  The squirrel inside of me will have a lot of goodies to enjoy for a quite a long time.  Merry belated Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday to me!